MLS: FC Cincy impressing, making 'bold statement'

Nippert Stadium in the first half during the USL soccer game between the Charlotte Independence (1-1-0) and FC Cincinnati (1-1-0), Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. (Photo: The Enquirer/Kareem Elgazzar)

Major League Soccer appears to be closely monitoring Futbol Club Cincinnati's progress, and one league official said they're impressed with what they're seeing.

The formidable Cincinnati sports landscape, the record April 16 Nippert Stadium crowd for the Louisville City FC game, and even this past weekend's game that saw more than 11,000 brave the threat of heavy rain at Nippert — MLS has taken note of it all, said MLS Executive Vice President of Communications Dan Courtemanche.

In an email to The Enquirer, Courtemanche said league officials are encouraged by the Queen City's first-year USL franchise.

"Regarding Cincinnati, we understand it is a tremendous sports market and FC Cincinnati had made a bold statement with the incredible crowds to kick off the season, including the passionate fans who came out in the rain (for the Wilmington game Saturday)," said Courtemanche in the email. "We are all impressed."

FC Cincinnati has hosted three home games in the young USL season and is averaging almost 15,500 fans per game. The team announced Tuesday its plan to push for 25,000 fans for the May 14 home game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The team's status is likely to be elevated again if they hit the 25,000 target, which would shatter the single-game USL attendance record it set just weeks ago.

Courtemanche's sentiments seemed to echo those expressed by MLS Commissioner Don Garber at an April 21 press conference. It's also the league's most recent nod to the positive momentum in FC Cincinnati's aggressive push for MLS.

Five days after setting the single-game USL attendance record against Louisville — an apparent narrative-changing moment that seemed to thrust the club into the MLS expansion discussion — FC Cincinnati was mentioned by Garber in the same breath as highly touted possible expansion markets like St. Louis, Sacramento and Detroit.

"I'd be remiss to not point out Cincinnati," Garber said while ranking in order the list of possible MLS expansion cities.

Courtemanche's email was in response to The Enquirer's request for comment from MLS Commissioner Don Garber regarding FC Cincinnati. Garber wasn't available to comment.

Cincinnati's inclusion in the expansion discussion was a 180-degree turn from just weeks ago when Cincinnati was rarely mentioned by the media.

Atlanta, Minnesota and Los Angeles are all in line to begin MLS play next season. Courtemanche also said the league is continuing progress with plans to expand to Miami, which would bring the league total to 24 teams.

MLS, which currently has 20 active teams, formally announced its intent to expand to 28 teams in the future.

If Sacramento, St. Louis and Detroit all reach MLS, and the league caps expansion at 28 teams, that would seem to leave Cincinnati fighting it out for the final expansion spot with San Diego, San Antonio and Austin.

In his email to The Enquirer, Courtemanche expounded on the expansion process. He said the league's goal is to secure the following from prospective expansion projects:

A committed local ownership group with the appropriate financial resources.

A comprehensive stadium plan where the ownership controls the venue.

An appropriate market that is:

Attractive to sponsors and television partners.

Located in an appropriate geographic location.

Has a history of strong fan support for soccer matches and other sporting events.